Chief Chat: Officer dragged across lot by fleeing suspects

On Saturday June 8, an off-duty Rolla police officer was in the check-out line at a local home improvement business when he witnessed store personnel attempt to stop a male suspect who was attempting to remove a weed trimmer from the business without paying for the item.

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By Police Chief Mark Kearse

The Rolla Daily News - Rolla, MO

By Police Chief Mark Kearse

Posted Jun. 15, 2013 at 10:00 AM

By Police Chief Mark Kearse
Posted Jun. 15, 2013 at 10:00 AM

On Saturday June 8, an off-duty Rolla police officer was in the check-out line at a local home improvement business when he witnessed store personnel attempt to stop a male suspect who was attempting to remove a weed trimmer from the business without paying for the item.

The suspect fled the business with the trimmer and ran across the parking lot to a waiting vehicle. The off-duty police officer pursued the suspect outside the business and contacted him at the waiting vehicle. The off-duty officer identified himself as a Rolla police officer and told the suspect he was under arrest. The suspect placed the trimmer on the roof of the vehicle and attempted to enter the vehicle on the passenger side.

The police officer attempted to detain the suspect and keep him from entering the vehicle but the suspect continued to resist and was able to get inside, telling the driver to go.

The officer was holding onto the suspect as the driver accelerated causing the officer to be dragged across the parking lot by the fleeing vehicle.

As the vehicle’s speed increased, the suspect began striking the officer in the head with his fists causing the officer to release his grip on the suspect and the officer fell from the vehicle and slid across the parking lot. The suspects then left the area.

The officer received several bruises, contusions and abrasions in the arrest attempt but is expected to fully recover. An investigation was launched by the Rolla Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit and with information provided by witnesses and the off-duty officer, the suspects are identified as follows: Dalton A. Harrison, 20, and Rale A. Gonyon, 23, both of Rolla.

Both subjects were subsequently arrested on the charges of robbery in the second degree, assault in the second degree on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. Both subjects were incarcerated in the Phelps County Jail on a 24-hour hold pending the issuance of warrants. Great job to all!

The Rolla Police Department S.W.A.T. team was called to assist the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department in looking for a Phelps County man after he fired multiple rounds from a gun Tuesday night.

A Phelps County deputy responded to a home in the 17000 block of County Road 8260 around 8:50 p.m. The officer said when he arrived at the home where there were reports of shots fired, the resident, 57-year-old Larry Stump, ran toward him with a handgun.

The deputy reported that Stump yelled, “I'm going to kill you, this is private property,” according to court records. The deputy drew his own weapon from the holster and took cover behind his patrol car. Stump continued to yell obscenities and death threats at the deputy.

Officers from the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the scene to help set up a perimeter. They tried to talk Stump into dropping the gun but he refused.

Page 2 of 3 - Stump ran off into the woods and threatened to kill neighbors if they told the police where he was. He returned to his front porch a short time later shooting his gun once in an unknown direction while drinking an alcoholic beverage.

Stump has been charged with second degree assault of a law enforcement officer. (A press release from the sheriff’s department dated June 14 stated that Stump was taken into custody without incident June 13)

This next entry is from the desk of Communications Supervisor Stacey Smith who writes:

Since storm season is upon us and summer heat waves can sometimes trigger power outages, we will try to post some tips this week on how to prepare for power outages. Don't wait until the power goes out to develop a plan for your family. Be prepared.

Preparing for Power Outages Tip No. 1 - Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer if there’s room. Leave about an inch of space inside each one because water expands as it freezes. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage by displacing air that can warm up quickly with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without additional refrigeration.

Preparing for Power Outages Tip No. 2 - If you or a loved one relies on medical equipment, be sure you have a backup plan. Have alternative sources of power available such as extra, fully-charged batteries or a generator.

Reporting Power Outages for RMU customers - First, try to determine if the cause of the outage is inside or outside your home. Check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.

Second, take a look outside to see if your neighbors and businesses nearby are having an outage. Take note of any downed power lines or utility poles, but do not go near them. They may still be energized. You can report outages at 573-364-2195. (Serviceman on duty 24 hours every day.)

However please be patient and remember there are probably others reporting the outage. Whether reported by phone or detected by RMU’s monitoring system, be assured that RMU is working on restoring service as soon as possible. Thanks, Stacey!

The City of Rolla has reposed special trust and confidence in the knowledge, courage, integrity and professional excellence of Senior Telecommunicator Amy S. King. In view of these qualities and her demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the Rolla Police Department, she is therefore promoted to the rank of communications supervisor. Promotion and date of rank are effective July 7, 2013.

Amy joined the Rolla police family in October of 2003 when she accepted a position as a telecommunicator in central communications. Amy was promoted to senior telecommunicator in December of 2012, and has served in that capacity until her recent promotion to communications supervisor! Congratulations Amy!

Page 3 of 3 - In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those members of the Rolla police family who are celebrating June hiring date anniversaries. They are Sgt. Wayne Rapier with 38 years of service, Lt. Jim Macormic with 22 years of service, Senior Patrol Officer Leann Robertson with five years of service, VIPS volunteer Dennis Noel with five years of service, Senior Telecommunicator Tom Grisham with three years of service and VIPS volunteer Ward Merrell with three years of service! Congratulations and thanks for all you do!